A (hopefully) comprehensive look at the uniforms, logos and design of the Green Bay Packers, 1919 to today

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Glimpse of the Future (I Hope)

This past weekend was a significant one in sports æsthetics, not only because of the first on-field appearance of the Packers' 1929-style throwback uniforms, but because of an innovation that took the field in Corvallis, Oregon on Saturday.

Working with uniform manufacturer Nike, the Oregon State Beavers wanted to create a 1960s-style throwback uniform for the latest installment of their traditional "Civil War" game with the Oregon Ducks. This presented a common problem: reconciling the classic uniform style of distinctive sleeve stripes with modern jersey cuts which no longer have sleeves. This is a problem the Packers have faced for years. The previous solution (also created by Nike) was to reduce the number of stripes to something more likely to fit. This time, Nike's designers came up with an inspired solution (if such a description is not too immodest, as I have been advocating the exact same move for years), they moved the stripes off the jersey itself and on to the compression shirts worn under those jerseys.

The end result was pretty solid. And it's one that the Packers should seriously consider when Nike takes over the NFL uniform manufacturing contract in 2012.

It's easy to imagine these jerseys in a particular shade of green and gold.

I'm aware that the reduction in sleeves has come at the request of players, particularly linemen, who feel that every square inch of fabric gives an opponent more opportunity to grab a handful of jersey. That's why I like this solution - not only does it address the æsthetics but also the performance aspects. Fabric worn tight against the skin is hard to hold onto. To the extent any jersey prohibits such holds, the compression shirt model does.

There can be long-sleeve versions and short-sleeve versions for players, ensuring that in warmer weather players could still show their stripes, and in colder weather players would be assured that opposing players couldn't get a grip on their sleeves.

There's an added off-field benefit - the Packers could do a brisk business selling compression shirts to fans, either for wearing under their jerseys or by themselves.

So there you have it. There is a performance benefit, a commercial benefit, and an æsthetic benefit. A win/win/win.

Okay, Mr. Murphy. The ball is in your court - time to bring the Packers' jerseys back to their original form by embracing a bold step forward.

That was a fantastic looking "Civil War" game, possibly the best looking game played all year with the hyper-modern astronaut Ducks and the absolutely wonderful Beaver uniforms. I really think it's due time to start copying USC-UCLA (also usually the best-looking game) and have teams in NFL and NCAAF to start wearing home and home uniforms. Have some sort of basic color test to avoid say Red vs. Red, but can you imagine home and home with Bears-Packers or ultimately Ohio State Scarlet/Silver vs. Michigan Blue/Maize, that would be nice!

Welcome

Welcome to the official blog of the Green Bay Packers Uniform Database, chronicling ninety-plus years of our team looking good while playing well. This started as a zine in 1994, moved online a decade later, and has become a longer-lasting project than anyone could have reasonably expected.

Click on "Uniform Timeline" below for the original Database, a chronological listing of the Packers' uniforms since 1919.

Chance Michaels is a native New Yorker who spent many of his formative years in Milwaukee and developed a lifelong interest in the region's sporting history. In addition to his work with the Green Bay Packers Uniform Database, he edits BorchertField.com, an ongoing research project devoted to Milwaukee's pre-1953 baseball clubs and their ballpark.

When not immersing himself in old game programs, wire service photos and newspaper archives, he produces theatre Off-Broadway, and was formerly a contributor to The Onion. He lives in New York City with his family.

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